Just ahead of Apple’s Q4 2012 earnings call, Bloombergis reporting that Apple is preparing an online radio service to rival Pandora in 2013. Bloomberg alleges that executives from Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group Corp, and Sony Corp’s music division recently met with Apple at the company’s Cupertino headquarters to discuss radio plans.

Talks are centered in part around how to share ad revenue and a deal could be reached by mid-November, with Apple starting a service within the first three months of 2013, said the people, who asked not to be named because discussions are still in progress.

According to Bloomberg: “With sales of music downloads slowing, Apple and record companies are seeking new ways for customers to discover and buy digital music.”